MU men’s hoops loses in OT to Robert Morris

WEST LONG BRANCH – The Monmouth University men’s basketball team Saturday night came tantalizingly close to its first upset this season of a top tier Northeast Conference team.
But after building a 15-point lead midway through the second half against Robert Morris, the Hawks were unable to hold off the relentless Colonials falling in overtime, 81-73.
“Not only are they a top team in the league, when you have a team beat you want to win, no matter who you’re playing against ,” said junior guard Dion Nesmith of Monmouth (4-17, 2-6) who scored a career high 22 points.
Nesmith made eight of nine shots from the floor and six of seven from long range before fouling out with 1:58 left in regulation.
A white hot Monmouth hit nine of its first 10 shots to begin the second half with Nesmith and Jesse Steele (15 points, six assists) each connecting three times from downtown.
Monmouth built a 53-38 lead on a Nesmith 3 with 12:20 remaining thrilling the loud crowd 2,170 at the Multipurpose Activity Center.
But the Hawks were unable to overcome what appeared to be a lack of experience in clutch situations, a proven go-to scorer, and the late absence of Nesmith who fouled out with 1:58 remaining.
“It’s just tough that we lost again,” Nesmith said. “We had a team a down on the ropes, we could have won at home with great fans here so we keep them coming back.
“But we lost. So it’s definitely tough to take.”
Junior guard Velton Jones of Robert Morris (15-6, 6-2) who became the 20th member of the Colonials 1,000 point club, scored 35 points, three off his career high.
Sophomore guard Anthony Myers of Robert Morris, averaging 5.8 points per game, scored all of his 16 of points after halftime.
A Jones free throw snapped a 67-67 deadlock to open the overtime which RMU began with an 8-0 run.
Monmouth had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but an off-balance 3 by Steele from the right corner hit the rim.
“I have 100 plays for Jesse to get open,” Monmouth coach King Rice said. “He was open at first and then the kid – Jones again – it wasn’t even his guy, it wasn’t even his switch – saw that Jesse was getting ready to be open and jumps up there and goes on him.”
Rice blamed himself for not doing enough to stem the Colonials’ comeback.
“This game is my fault,” Rice said. “Maybe I should have called three more time outs. I should have done something. They went on a big run.
“I called one time out. I should have called more. When kids get balling the the way those (Robert Morris) kids played down the stretch I don’t know what we could have done.
“”But our kids played well enough to win. This loss is totally on me.”
“I think we’ve got a lot of guys who have been in a lot of different situations,” said Robert Morris second year coach Andy Toole, a graduate of CBA .
“Velton in particular has played a lot of minutes over his three years,” Toole said.
“When we cut it to like nine with nine-ten minutes to go in the game if think they felt if we continue to get stops there’s a ton of time left.”
Phil Wait added a season high 12 points for Monmouth.
Robert Morris took its first lead since early in the second half, 66-65, on a Jones 3 with 2:55 left in regulation.
A short jump shot by Andrew Nicholas tied the score at 67 with 58 seconds left.
A missed 3 by Coron Williams gave the ball back to Monmouth with a chance to win it.
Jones needed 11 points Saturday to reach 1000.
The 6-foot junior took care of that in a hurry. He scored 11 of his team’s first 16 points leading the Colonials to an early 16-9 advantage.
But the Hawks kept pecking away behind the shooting of Nesmith.
Nesmith, who set a previous career high with 14 points Thursday night vs. Saint Francis, Pa. swished a trio trifectas on his way to 11 first-half points.
When he hit connected from almost NBA range he pulled Monmouth within 25-23 and a fee throw by Ed Waite cut the deficit to 26-25 with three minutes left in the half.
Jones then stuck a 3 from the top of the circle and Robert Morris went to the locker room with a 33-29 halftime lead.
tonygsports@aol.com

Comments

About Tony Graham

Long time Asbury Park Press reporter of local high school and collegiate sports. Proud Phan of the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

11 Responses to MU men’s hoops loses in OT to Robert Morris

That was a tough one Tony. I think they played a great game but the superior team prevailed. They were cool, calm an collected and made big shots when they needed them. The hawks are definately a different team now from the early part of the season. They just need to know how to play with a lead and put a team away. Good teams figure out a way to get back in to a game and thats what happened tonight.

Lets be honest if this were DC coaching on the sidelines any of the last three seasons he’d be getting blasted for blowing a 15 point lead. Lets be fair here. Rice did a poor job having his team close this out. Does anyone really think RMU is that good? They were playing without their second best player tonight too, Russell Johnson and have been without their best player far and away Abraham all season. Tough loss.

This game was probably the best Monmouth played this year. They made a few mistakes down the stretch but I think you have to give credit to Velton Jones and Robert Morris. They battled and fought back. They could have easily laid down and took the loss. When Velton Jones made that bomb from about 8 feet beyond what would be NBA range, I knew the Hawks were in trouble. That was a great game to watch and to see where this Monmouth team has come since the beginning of the season has to give people hope. I think KR is doing a great job and we have to remember, this is his first year as a head coach. The future is bright for Monmouth basketball.

Rice- your’re right but I think the fan base, including myself was tired of DC and some of his staff (Calz and Kenny to name a few). Those guys just absolutely lost every game for MU and were outcoached every game. Then, DC and staff would blame the kids. As far as KRice, he started out poorly but things look like they are picking up and getting better. They may not show in win/loss column but the desire to finally have a coach that wants to build a program is remarkable.

I always thought that if you are the home team in a tie game you go to the basket (especially if you have a 7 footer)…….everyone in the NEC knew that Jesse was taking the last shot so I wouldn’t be so quick to credit Velton Jones for a great play…..this one might have cost the last playoff spot…..just my casual observations….

Well mentally is another topic, but I think I know the answer to that. Physically there were times punctuality was an issue as well as absenteeism.

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Josh Newman on Monmouth University and local college athletics

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Josh NewmanJosh Newman has worked for the Press since September 2004, covering a variety of high school beats in addition to college sports and the New York Jets. A 2004 graduate of Springfield College, he is currently the beat reporter for Monmouth University.E-mail Josh

Sherlon ChristieSherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press. He joined the Press in the fall of 2004. He grew up in Massachusetts and has a BA in journalism from Northeastern University's School of Journalism. He is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.E-mail Sherlon

Steve EdelsonSteve Edelson has been covering the area sports scene for more than 25 years. And while he has chronicled the accomplishments of many athletes, he's still patiently waiting for his first hole-in-one.E-mail Steve

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A good move, King Rice needs to look to the future with younger players who are :"his" recruits (57%, 67 Votes)

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